JP2002196870A - Image forming device and document management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to retouch information to be physically retouched and inputted to a recoding medium to an image source constituting the base of image data forming an image in the recording medium. SOLUTION: In the case of applying image forming operation to the recording medium in which many code symbols including coordinate information and identity information are arrayed in accordance with image data generated on the basis of the image source, one of the code symbols arrayed in the recording medium is optically read out, the read code symbol is decoded to acquire the identify information and the acquired identify information is allowed to correspond to image source specification information for specifying the image source. When a system capable of recognizing both of the coordinate information and identify information is constructed in accordance with the retouching operation, retouched information is obtained from the recognized coordinate information and the retouched information can be retouched to the image source specified by the image source specification information corresponding to the recognized identity information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium and a document management system including the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a digitized document is displayed on a display, there is a problem in ease of browsing. Displaying on a display also has a problem in portability. Therefore, it is often the case that a document is printed, the printed matter is viewed, or the printed matter is carried and used. On the other hand, there are many cases in which such a printed material is rewritten, but the electronic original document and the item to be rewritten are not linked at all, and it is necessary to electronically edit the original document later. Therefore,
We want to realize a system that automatically adds to the original electronic document when you add to the printed document, in short, a paper-based tablet system. For such a system, it is necessary to first obtain the coordinates of the leading end on the paper.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-101864, a plurality of information display recording media, a plurality of information storage recording media, and a plurality of information storage / recording media for displaying and maintaining various information rewritably in a paper-like shape. An information recording device is provided, and information input by handwriting to the information recording device is used for display on an information display recording medium and storage of an information storage recording medium, and information read from the information storage recording medium by the information recording device is also information. A technology displayed on a display recording medium is disclosed. The information display recording medium maintains the displayed information, and can be deleted or modified. Therefore, creation and accumulation of documents can be realized without consuming paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-296421 discloses a technique of arranging optically readable code symbols in a matrix on a coordinate plate and reading the symbols to obtain coordinate information. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-141104 discloses a similar technical content.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-163873 discloses a technology in which file information (file name, etc.) is printed on a sheet of paper in a barcode, and when editing on a tablet, the barcode on the sheet is read to edit a document. It is disclosed in JP-A-7-244657.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] First Problem In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-101864, as means for saving various information such as characters and images in a viewable state,
In view of the advantages and disadvantages of a means for recording on a traditional paper and a means for recording on a computer having a display and a memory, a technique combining both advantages is proposed. In other words, information created by a computer or input by handwriting can be rewritten many times on a recording medium (that is, it is not consumed like paper), and the information is stored in a memory or sent to the outside. A device that can be output, input from the outside, or processed as digital information that can be processed by a computer is disclosed.

However, from the viewpoint of usability, if a plurality of information display / recording media on which information has already been written or printed are placed on a tablet and retouched and entered on the document, the information cannot be obtained. Even when the display recording medium is carried around, it is necessary to carry the tablet as needed, which is inconvenient.

[0008] For personal use, it is necessary to realize the same convenience and functionality as when writing with a writing instrument on traditional paper. However, a writing operation using a tablet has a different feeling from writing with a writing instrument on paper, and is uncomfortable for the user.

[0009] These disadvantages are described in the above-mentioned JP-A-61-29.
The same applies to the technology disclosed in JP-A-6421 and JP-A-7-141104.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-244657, a document is edited by reading a barcode on the paper when making a correction on a tablet. There is a problem that it is troublesome because it is necessary to read the code one by one and then perform it.

On the other hand, the applicant of the present application
Patent Application No. 11-3688 filed on December 27, 2016
In No. 05, optically readable code symbols are arranged in a matrix on a sheet of paper, and the code symbols are read by the camera at the same time as the pen is equipped with a small camera and the pen is equipped with a small camera to obtain coordinate information. By doing
An invention relating to a system for reading added information in real time and associating the information with paper information before the added information is described.

2. Second Problem As described above, in a system in which rewriting of a printed document is automatically reflected in an electronic original document, it is difficult to associate the original electronic document with a recording medium of the printed document. It is indispensable, and it is desirable that the association can be made as little as possible without human intervention.

3. Third Problem Since a document printed on paper is sometimes copied, it is impossible to manage documents without contradiction unless the copied document is associated with the original electronic document. However, when printing a code symbol in which document information is embedded as in the prior art, if the code symbol is damaged or soiled, it becomes impossible to retrieve the information embedded in the code symbol, making it difficult to copy or manage the document. It will be possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide a work or a job in a office work using a plurality of recording media on which data is printed, such as a meeting, a document check, or a creative activity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology capable of associating, in real time, information written and added with information before writing on a recording medium without using a conventional tablet.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged; An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation on the recording medium in accordance with image data generated based on an image source, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and the code reading unit Decoding means for decoding the code symbol read by the unit to obtain the identity information, and associating means for associating the identity information obtained by the decoding means with image source identification information for identifying the image source And

Here, the "identity information" is information indicating the identity of the recording medium, and this identity information is indicated by, for example, a number that is unique in the world. Further, “image source” means an image source that is the basis of image data. For example, document data, image data, and the like can be image sources. The “image source specifying information” is information for specifying an image source, and for example, a path name or the like can be the image source specifying information. The definitions of such terms are similar throughout this specification.

Therefore, when an image forming operation is performed on the recording medium by the image forming unit, the code reading unit and the decoding unit obtain the identity information of the recording medium, and this is associated with the image source specifying information by the association unit.

Therefore, as one example, a system construction is provided in which a writing symbol is arranged on a recording medium by performing a writing operation on the recording medium with a writing instrument, and coordinate information and identity information are recognized by decoding the code symbols. It is assumed that when a writing operation is performed on a recording medium with a writing instrument, the writing locus is recognized based on the decoded coordinate information. Under such an assumption, for a recording medium that performs a writing operation with a writing instrument, the identity information and the image source identification information are associated with each other, so that the writing trajectory with the writing instrument is recognized together with the writing trajectory. It becomes possible to execute a process of rewriting the image source associated with the information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising an output unit that externally outputs the identity information and the image source identification information associated by the association unit. I do.

Therefore, by outputting the identity information and the image source specifying information associated with each other by the associating means to the outside, it is possible to store the associated information in a storage unit in, for example, an external device. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to always refer to what kind of image source specifying information corresponds to the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the code reading unit cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium. Includes a prohibition unit for prohibiting an image forming operation on the recording medium by the image forming unit.

This prevents a situation in which it is not possible to associate the recording medium with the image source specifying information. At the same time, the recording medium is prevented from being wasted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the code reading unit cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium, And a notifying means for notifying that effect.

Thus, the operator is informed that the image forming operation is not performed because the recording medium cannot be associated with the image source specifying information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document management system for a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation according to image data generated based on an image source, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and a code read by the code reading unit Decoding means for decoding a symbol to obtain the identity information, and associating the identity information acquired by the decoding means with image source identification information for identifying the image source, and storing the same in a storage unit Means.

Therefore, when an image forming operation is performed on the recording medium by the image forming unit, the code reading unit and the decoding unit acquire the identity information of the recording medium, and this is associated with the image source specifying information by the association unit. Such a document management technique becomes significant with the invention described in claim 6.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the fifth aspect, a writing implement that allows a writing operation to be held by a hand and a writing implement provided on the writing implement and on the recording medium are provided. A second code reading unit that optically reads a code symbol appearing on a writing orbit, a second decoding unit that decodes the read code symbol to obtain the coordinate information and the identity information, Recognition means for recognizing a writing trajectory of the writing instrument based on the coordinate information obtained by the second code means, and the identity from the storage unit using the identity information obtained by the second code means as a key Searching means for searching for the image source specifying information corresponding to the information; and searching means specified by the image source specifying information searched by the searching means. A revision means for Categories of writing trajectory of the writing instrument which is recognized by the recognition means to the image source that comprises a.

Therefore, by performing a writing operation on the recording medium with the writing implement, the code symbols arranged on the recording medium are read by the second code reading section, and the code information is decoded by the second decoding means, thereby obtaining the coordinate information. Is recognized. Therefore, when a writing operation is performed on a recording medium with a writing implement, the writing locus is recognized based on the decoded coordinate information. Then, for a recording medium that performs a writing operation with a writing implement, since the identity information and the image source identification information are associated with each other, the writing trajectory with the writing implement is associated with the identity information recognized together with the writing trajectory. It is possible to execute processing for adding to the image source that has been added.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the document management system guides and conveys a recording medium on which an image is formed and on which a number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation on the recording medium in accordance with image data generated based on an image source; and a code reader that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium guided and conveyed. A decoding unit that decodes a code symbol read by the code reading unit to obtain information, and decodes the code symbol read by the code reading unit to obtain information. Encoding means for converting to a second code symbol that follows a different coding system.

Therefore, a plurality of code symbols according to different code systems can be handled. Therefore, as in the invention according to claim 12, which is dependent on the document management system according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, the second code symbol encoded by the encoding means is provided in the image forming unit. If a code symbol printing means for executing an image forming operation in accordance with image data generated based on the image data is provided, a recording medium on which a second code symbol is recorded can be obtained.

Here, the information obtained by decoding the code symbol read by the code reading section by the decoding means is, for example, coordinate information (claim 10) and identity information (claim 11).

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the seventh aspect, the code reading unit includes the second
And the decoding means decodes the second code symbol read by the code reading unit to obtain information.

Therefore, for example, on a recording medium on which the second code symbol generated according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is recorded, the second code symbol is read and the second code symbol is decoded. Information can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the code reading section comprises:
An invisible code symbol formed by an image forming material containing a near infrared absorbing dye is read.

Accordingly, the invisible second code symbol is read by the code reading section. The invisible second code symbol is obtained, for example, by a document management system according to claim 13.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention,
12. The document management system according to 9, 10, or 11, further comprising: a code symbol printing unit that causes the image forming unit to execute an image forming operation in accordance with image data generated based on the second code symbol encoded by the encoding unit. I do.

Therefore, a recording medium on which the second code symbol is recorded can be obtained.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the twelfth aspect, the image forming section stores the invisible second code symbol formed of an image forming material containing a near infrared absorbing dye. Print.

Accordingly, a recording medium on which the invisible second code symbol is recorded is obtained.

[0040]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a recording medium used in the present embodiment. A document can be recorded on the recording medium 101 in a state that can be visually read by a human, and is generally made of paper, cloth, plastic, or the like, and has a sheet shape. In such a recording medium 101, an optically readable code symbol 102 is recorded in advance. The code symbol 102 is represented by, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

The recording medium 101 is intended to visually display information by a manual writing operation by a human hand or an image forming operation by a printer or a copying machine. For this reason, the recording medium 101 forms a visible image by a writing operation using a writing instrument 261 to be described later with reference to FIG. 2 or a printer 221 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or a copier shown in FIG. 241 is formed so that a visible image can be formed by the image forming operation at 241.

Here, in FIG. 1, the code symbol 102
Are shown at the left corner of the recording medium 101,
Actually, a large number of code symbols 102 are arranged in a matrix on the recording medium 101. And FIG.
In the figure, the code symbol 102 is represented extremely large with respect to the size of the recording medium 101, but this is for convenience of explanation, and the actual size of the code symbol 102 is extremely fine.

Such a code symbol 102 includes coordinate information and identity information. That is, each of the code symbols 102 arranged in a matrix includes, as coordinate information, information indicating where the code symbol 102 is located on the XY coordinates on the recording medium 101. In addition, each code symbol 1
02 includes identification information indicating the identity of the recording medium 101 as identity information. This identity information is
Since the identification information is for the recording medium 101, the same information is included for all the code symbols 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a system configuration example of the document management system according to the present embodiment. The document management system 201 according to the present embodiment includes several information processing devices 211 (211a, 211b),
21, a scanner 231 and a peripheral device such as a copying machine 241 are connected via a network 202.

Here, the information processing device 211 is, for example,
This is a general microcomputer that executes various processes using a microprocessor and a memory. One information processing device 211a receives an input of data wirelessly transmitted from a writing instrument 261 described below having a configuration suitable for writing on the recording medium 101, and transmits and receives data to and from the portable information terminal 281 by wireless. It is possible.
Another information processing device 211b stores and records various types of management information in the hard disk drive (HDD) 212. As various types of management information, for example, when information is recorded on the recording medium 101 using the printer 221 or the copier 241, the image source identification information for identifying the image source that is the source of the information and the image source identification information Recording medium 1 on which image data generated based on the recording medium is recorded
01 is stored and recorded.

The writing instrument 261 has a writing section 26 at its tip.
2 is provided. As the writing unit 262, the writing unit 262
Or a structure such as a fountain pen, a felt-tip pen, a ball-point pen, or a mechanical pencil that can leave a visible trajectory by the writing trajectory of the recording medium 101.
The structure may be such that it only comes into contact with, for example, any of them.
When it is required that the writing instrument 261 leaves actual writing, that is, a visible writing locus on the recording medium 101 or the like, the writing locus of the writing unit 262 can leave a visible locus. What is necessary is just to configure.

[0048] Such a writing instrument 261 is
A second code reading unit 263 capable of optically reading the code symbol 102 in accordance with the writing operation on the first code reading unit 1 is provided. The second code reading unit 263 includes a photoelectric conversion element 264 and an optical system 265, and transmits reflected light from the code symbol 102 via the optical system 265 to the photoelectric conversion element 2.
The photoelectric conversion element 264 receives light and outputs an output signal corresponding to the light reflectance of the code symbol 102 to read the code symbol 102 optically.

The writing instrument 261 has a built-in information processing unit 266 having a microprocessor and a memory. The information processing unit 266 decodes the code symbol 102 read by the second code reading unit 263, and converts image data based on the reflectance into coded code data. For this purpose, the information processing unit 266 has a file structure in which the shape characteristics of the code symbol 102 and the code are associated with each other. The information processing unit 266 further includes a wireless output circuit for wirelessly transmitting the code data thus obtained to the one information processing device 211a.

Here, the code symbol 102 includes coordinate information and identity information. Therefore, the information processing unit 2
The identity information is acquired from the code symbol 102 decoded by 66. In this sense, the information processing unit 266 functions as a second decoding unit that decodes the code symbol 102 and acquires the identity information.

In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 266 of the writing instrument 261 sends a message to the information processing device 211a.
It is configured to transmit and output decoded data of the code symbol 102 by wireless communication. In contrast,
The information processing unit 266 of the writing instrument 261 is
A may be configured to transmit and output the decoded data of the code symbol 102 to a through wired communication. In this case, the information processing unit 266 needs to include a communication interface such as a serial interface.

In this embodiment, the information processing section 266 of the writing instrument 261 is provided with the function of the second decoding means. However, in the embodiment, the information processing device 211, the printer 221, the copying machine 241 and the like are provided with the decoding means. Function may be provided. In other words, it is only necessary that the function of the decoding means be exhibited somewhere in the document management system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of the printer 221. The printer 221 is an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic recording system, and transfers the recording medium 101 stored and held in a paper feeding unit 222 to a paper discharging unit 22 via a guide path 223.
4, a toner image is formed on the recording medium 101 by an image forming process unit 225 as an image forming unit, and the toner image is heated and pressed by a fixing device 226. The printer 221 having such a structure includes a network interface 227 for connecting to the network 202.
An information processing unit 228 including a microprocessor and a memory drives and controls the image forming process unit 225 in accordance with image data transmitted from the information processing device 211 or the like via the printer, thereby forming a toner image on the recording medium 101. .

The printer 221 includes a code reading section 229 for optically reading the code symbols 102 arranged on the recording medium 101 in the guide path 223 of the recording medium 101. The code reading unit 229 is structurally provided with the second code reading unit 263 provided on the writing implement 261 described above.
It has the same structure as. Then, the information processing unit 228 provided in the printer 221 decodes the code symbol 102 read by the code reading unit 229, and converts image data based on the reflectance into coded code data. Therefore, the information processing unit 228 has a file structure in which the shape characteristics of the code symbol 102 and the code are associated with each other.

Here, as described above, the code symbol 1
02 includes coordinate information and identity information. Thus, identity information is obtained from the code symbol 102 decoded by the information processing unit 228 of the printer 221. In this sense, the information processing unit 228 functions as a decoding unit that decodes the code symbol 102 and acquires the identity information.

In this embodiment, the printer 221
Although the information processing unit 228 has the function of the decoding means, the information processing device 211 and the like may have the function of the decoding means. In other words, it is only necessary that the function of the decoding means be exhibited somewhere in the document management system.

In this embodiment, the printer 221
Although the printer has been described as an electrophotographic printer, various types of printers such as a thermal transfer printer and an ink jet printer can be used regardless of the type.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of the copying machine 241. The copying machine 241 is a digital copying machine and includes a scanner unit 251. Therefore, an information processing unit 248 including a microprocessor and a memory drives and controls the image forming process unit 245 in accordance with the image data read by the scanner unit 251, whereby the recording medium 1 is
01, a toner image is formed. The other points are the same as those of the printer 221 described with reference to FIG.

That is, the printer section of the copying machine 241 is an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic recording system, and guides and conveys the recording medium 101 stored and held in the sheet feeding section 242 to the sheet discharging section 244 via the guide path 243. The image forming process unit 245 as the image forming unit performs the recording medium 10 on the way.
1, a toner image is formed on the fixing device 2
46 is a structure for fixing under heat and pressure. The copier 241 having such a structure includes a network interface 247 connected to the network 202, and not only image data read by the scanner unit 251 but also image data transmitted from the information processing device 211 or the like via the network 202. The information processing unit 248 drives and controls the image forming process unit 245 according to the
1 to form a toner image.

The copying machine 241 stores the recording medium 101
The code reading unit 2 that optically reads the code symbols 102 arranged on the recording medium 101 in the guide path 243 of
49 is provided. The code reading unit 249 is structurally provided with the second code reading unit 263 provided on the writing instrument 261 and the code reading unit 22 provided on the printer 221.
It has a structure similar to that of FIG. Then, the information processing unit 248 provided in the copying machine 241 decodes the code symbol 102 read by the code reading unit 249, and converts image data based on the reflectance into coded code data. For this purpose, the information processing section 248 has a file structure in which the shape characteristics of the code symbol 102 and the code are associated with each other.

Here, as described above, code symbol 1
02 includes coordinate information and identity information. Therefore, identity information is obtained from the code symbol 102 decoded by the information processing section 248 of the copying machine 241. In this sense, the information processing unit 248 functions as a decoding unit that decodes the code symbol 102 and acquires the identity information.

In this embodiment, the information processing section 248 of the copying machine 241 has a function of a decoding means.
In implementation, the information processing device 211 or the like may have a function of a decoding unit. In other words, it is only necessary that the function of the decoding means be exhibited somewhere in the document management system.

FIG. 5 shows a printer 221 and a copying machine 241.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a reading structure of a code symbol 102 by a code reading unit 229 or 249 provided in FIG. The code reading units 229 and 249 have a built-in photoelectric conversion element (not shown).
Scan 1. Then, an output signal based on the code symbol 102 read by scanning the recording medium 101 is transmitted and output to the information processing units 228 and 248 as controllers via the control circuit 255.

FIG. 6 shows H of one information processing device 211b.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of an association file 213 stored and recorded in a DD 212. When information is recorded on the recording medium 101 using the printer 221 or the copier 241, the association file 213 is generated based on image source specifying information for specifying an image source as a source of the information and the image source. And a file structure for storing and recording the image data in association with the recording medium 101 on which the image data is recorded.

More specifically, the printer 221 and the copying machine 2
The identification information included in the code symbol 102 of the recording medium 101 read by the code reading units 229 and 249 of 41 is the identification number 21 as the identification information of the recording medium 101.
3a. Then, the association file 21
In other portions of the image information, image source specifying information for specifying an image source that forms the basis of image data formed on the recording medium 101 by the printer 221 or the copying machine 241 is recorded. Here, the image source is, for example, assuming that the image data printed out by the printer 221 is based on a file created by word processing software or spreadsheet software. The image source specifying information is a path name or the like for specifying the image source. For example, in the case of the association file 213 illustrated in FIG. 6, the document name of the image source is recorded in the document name 213b, and the path name for accessing the image source is recorded in the path name 213c. These pieces of information are identification information 213 for identifying the recording medium 101.
a. Other, association file 2
13 records an author 213d, an update date and time 213e, a page 213f, a total number of pages 213g, and a copy flag 213h relating to the image source, and these information are associated with identification information 213a for identifying the recording medium 101.

The association file 213 having such a file structure is stored in the information processing device 211b having the HDD 212, and is stored in another information processing device 211b.
a, the printer 221, the copier 241 and the like.

Next, the operation of the document management system will be described. In the document management system according to the present embodiment, first,
The information processing apparatus 211 transmits and outputs an image forming command based on image data generated from a predetermined image source to the printer 221 or the copying machine 241.
And the recording medium 1 according to the image data received by the copier 241.
01, an image is formed. At this time, the code symbols 102 arranged on the recording medium 101 are
49, and this is read by the information processing units 228, 2
Decoding is performed at 48 to obtain the identity information of the recording medium 101. Therefore, the information processing units 228 and 248 of the printer 221 and the copier 241 associate the image source specifying information included in the image forming instruction with the identity information of the recording medium 101 (associating unit). The information is transmitted and output to the information processing apparatus 211b having the correspondence file 213 via the network 202 (output means).

The information processing apparatus 2 which has received the information in which the image source specifying information is associated with the identity information of the recording medium 101
11b is the corresponding file 2 stored in the HDD 212
13 records the information. In this case, the recording medium 10
1 is the identification number 2 of the association file 213
13a, the image source identification information associated with the identity information includes information on the document name, path name, author name, page, and total number of pages. It is recorded in the corresponding column of the file 213. Also, the corresponding update date and time 21 in the association file 213
In 3e, information on the update date and time obtained by using the timekeeping function of the information processing device 211b is recorded.

Next, in the present embodiment, the recording medium 10 on which the image data generated based on the image source is recorded.
1 is characterized in that information can be retouched using the writing instrument 261, and when information is retouched in this way, the information retouched for the image source can be retouched on data. .

That is, when a writing operation is performed on the recording medium 101 on which an image has been formed using the writing implement 261, the code symbols 102 arranged on the recording medium 101 are replaced with the writing implement 2.
The image data of the code symbol 102 is read by the second code reading unit 263 in 61, and is decoded by the information processing unit 266. This allows
The coordinate information and the identity information included in the code symbol 102 are obtained. Therefore, the writing instrument 261 wirelessly transmits and outputs such decoded data to the information processing device 211a. The information processing device 211a recognizes the writing trajectory of the writing implement 261 based on the coordinate information included in the received code symbol 102 (recognition unit). Further, the information processing device 211a, based on the identity information included in the received code symbol 102,
The column of the identification information 213a of the association file 213 stored in the HDD 212 of another information processing apparatus 211b is searched, and the corresponding path name 213c as the image source identification information is searched.
(Search means). Therefore, the information processing device 211a
Accesses the corresponding image source based on the path name 213c and opens the image source. In this case, the image source is opened by activating the application that created the image source in the information processing device 211a. Thereafter, the information processing device 211a executes a process of adding a writing locus of the writing instrument 261 recognized by the recognition unit on the data of the opened image source on the data (writing unit). In this case, the information processing device 211a may rewrite the data of the writing trajectory as image data. If the writing trajectory expresses a character, the information processing device 211a recognizes the character information based on the writing trajectory. May be added. Then, the image source after the writing locus data is added is updated and stored in the information storage area of the information processing device 211a or 211b storing the image source or an information processing device (not shown).

According to the processing described above, in this embodiment, information can be added to the recording medium 101 on which the image data generated based on the image source is recorded by using the writing implement 261. Is added, the information added to the image source can be added on the data.

Here, the printer 221 and the copier 241
May not be able to obtain the identity information contained in the code symbol 102 of the recording medium 101 when forming an image. Such a situation typically occurs when a recording medium that does not include the code symbol 102 including the identity information is set in the paper feed units 222 and 242. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recording medium 101
If it is not possible to obtain the identity information contained in the code symbol 102, the image forming operation by the image forming process units 225 and 245 in the printer 221 and the copying machine 241 is prohibited (prohibiting means). Is notified (notifying means). This prevents a situation in which the recording medium 101 cannot be associated with the image source identification information, and at the same time, the recording medium 1
01 is also prevented from being wasted. Then, by the notification to that effect, the cause that the image forming operation is not performed such that the image forming operation is not performed because the recording medium 101 cannot be associated with the image source specifying information is indicated to the operator, For example, the user is not erroneously recognized as a failure.

Further, in the document management system of the present embodiment, the recording medium 101 on which an image is formed in accordance with image data based on an image source can be read and copied by the copying machine 241. What is important in this case is that the copying machine 241 can copy up to and including the code symbol 102. FIG. 7 shows an example of the recording medium 101 on which an image is formed in accordance with the image data based on the image source thus copied. As shown in FIG.
The first information processing unit 248 superimposes a display “Copy” indicating that the copy image is a copy and a display “This is an original document” on the image based on the image source on the copy image. Execute

[0074]

[Embodiment 1] An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the recording medium 1 used in this information processing system. A document can be recorded on the recording medium 1 in a state that can be visually read by a human,
Generally, it is made of paper, cloth, plastic, or the like, and has a sheet shape. Reference numeral 2 denotes a human-readable document itself that can be recorded on the recording medium 1 by a method such as writing, and is a character, a figure, a table, or the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes an optically readable code symbol, which will be described in detail later, and is generally a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like.

The absorption wavelength or the emission wavelength of the ink of the document 2 and that of the code symbol 3 do not overlap each other, so that the document 2 is in a wavelength range that can be visually read by a human, and the code symbol 3 cannot be read by a human. In Although,
When printing is performed in an optically readable wavelength range, the document 2 and the code symbol 3 can be printed in an overlapping manner and can be read independently. As an ink which is invisible to humans, for example, there is stealth ink manufactured by Hitachi Maxell, and a sheet for a thermal transfer printer is also prepared. It is barely visible to humans and is optically readable in the infrared. On the other hand, in the infrared region, transparent black ink is also commercially available. Therefore, if a commercially available thermal transfer printer using these inks is used, a human-visible document 2 and an invisible code symbol 3 can be printed by a printer. (The invisible ink material will be described later in detail).

In the example of FIG. 8, the code symbols 3 are arranged in a matrix. In the code symbol 3, a mark indicating the coordinates of the code symbol 3 on the surface of the recording medium 1 on which the code symbol 3 is printed and a mark indicating the identity of the recording medium 1 are encoded.
For example, paying attention to marks that mean coordinates,
In FIG. 8, the upper left code symbol 3a is encoded as "0101", the code symbol 3b is encoded as "0102", the code symbol 3c is encoded as "0103", and the code symbol 3d is encoded as "0201". Alternatively, as another example, even if the code symbol 3a is encoded as "aa", the code symbol 3b is encoded as "ab", the code symbol 3c is encoded as "ac", and the code symbol 3d is encoded as "ba". Good. As long as a plurality of code symbols 3 can be uniquely identified as described above, there is no particular limitation, and there is no particular restriction on the arrangement. However, as shown in FIG.
It is desirable to arrange.

More specifically, as an example, the origin is located at the upper left of the paper, and the x-axis and the y-axis are taken rightward and downward. Here, the code symbol 3 of “0101” is arranged at the position of (10 mm, 10 mm) on the x-axis and the y-axis, and the code symbol 3 of “0102” is positioned at the position of (10 mm, 20 mm). , (20mm, 10mm)
The code symbol 3 of “201” is arranged.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a QR code as an optically readable code symbol 3, but there are some other well-known similar code symbols 3. For example, CodeOne, Azt
ecCode, MaxiCode, etc. can be used. Further, a one-dimensional barcode or a unique code may be used.

It is desirable to record the code symbol 3 over as wide a range as possible on the recording medium 1, but it is not always necessary to record it on the entire surface.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the coordinate input device 4 used in this information processing system. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the coordinate input device 4 includes a writing implement 7 that allows a person to hold a writing operation. If necessary, an actual writing instrument, that is, a tip portion of a ball-point pen, a mechanical pencil, or the like may be attached to the tip 5 of the writing instrument 7 so that writing can be actually performed. Writing implement 7
The image reading device 6 provided on the side of the
It is a device that includes a photoelectric conversion element 6a such as a CD and an optical system 6b including a lens and reads an image on the recording medium 1. Note that the image reading device 6 can be provided with illumination as needed.

A microcomputer 8 is mounted on the writing implement 7, and an image reading device 6 is connected to the microcomputer 8. The microcomputer 8 performs various processes based on the image on the recording medium 1 read by the image reading device 6. That is, the read code symbol 3 is decoded, and the position, the direction, and the distortion amount of the code symbol 3 on the read image are detected (details will be described later). As a result, a decoding unit and a distortion amount calculating unit are realized. The microcomputer 8 is provided with an information processing device 9 such as a PC external to the writing implement 7.
The data stored in the microcomputer 8 can be output to the information processing device 9. Note that, instead of mounting the microcomputer 8 on the writing implement 7, the image reading device 6 is connected to an information processing device 9 connected to a printer 10, and the processing performed by the microcomputer 8 is executed by the information processing device 9. You may. In FIG. 9, a power supply for supplying power to the image reading device 6, the microcomputer 8, and the like, an interface between the microcomputer 8 and the information processing device 9, and the like are omitted.

It is desirable that the writing implement 7 be provided with a device for detecting whether or not the tip 5 is in contact with the writing surface. That is, the tip portion 5 is movable in the direction along the pen axis, and the tip portion 5 moves when the tip portion 5 comes into contact with the writing surface, which is detected mechanically or by a change in conductivity. The technique is well known as a technique already applied to a pen or the like of a tablet.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an image obtained by reading the recording medium 1 as shown in FIG. Coordinate input device 4
Is set to be at least twice the width of the code symbol 3, at least one code symbol 3 falls within the image reading range. Here, for example, if the microcomputer 8 reads the code symbol 3 in the frame 11 in FIG. 10 and decodes the coordinate information contained in the code symbol 3 into “0102”, then the coordinate input device 4 at least The coordinate position on the recording medium 1 can be detected with the accuracy of the size of the square frame 11 shown in (1) (for the technique, also refer to JP-A-61-296421).

However, in this case, the resolution is several millimeters to 1 cm.
Is very small, and there is a problem in practical use. Alternatively, to reduce the size of the code symbol 3 in order to increase the resolution, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the printer or the image reading device 6 that prints the code symbol 3. Costly and impractical.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, an image as shown in FIG. 10 is processed by the microcomputer 8, and the position, the direction, and the amount of distortion of the code symbol 3 in this image are detected. That is, in the code symbol 3, in addition to the data area of the coordinate information, a special pattern area for easily detecting the position, the direction, and the distortion amount may be provided. For example, FIG. 11 shows a QR code, but three special areas a, b, and c are respectively searched, and the positions of the entire code symbol 3 on the image are determined based on the positions, mutual positional relationships, size comparison, and the like. , Direction, and distortion amount can be detected.

Here, for the sake of simplicity, the following description will be made on the assumption that the center point on the image is the position of the tip 5 and is perpendicular to the paper surface. Assuming that the image shown in FIG. 12 is obtained, when a two-dimensional code is decoded from this image, the code symbol 3 in FIG. 12 is decoded, and coordinate information “0102” is obtained, for example.

On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows the positional relationship between the image and the code symbol 3 for explanation. This figure 1
3 shows an example in which the center of the image 12 matches the center of the code symbol 3 (that is, the offset between both centers is 0). Since the printing position of the code symbol 3 is known, for example, the center of the code symbol 3 whose coordinate information is “0102” is (10 mm, 20 m
m). On the other hand, since the center of the image 12 coincides with the center of the code symbol 3, it can be determined that the leading end portion 5 is at the position (10 mm, 20 mm) in the paper surface coordinates.

FIG. 14 is another example of the captured image 12 (another example of FIG. 12). FIG. 15 is another example corresponding to FIG. In the examples shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,
The position of the code symbol 3 is not at the center of the captured image,
The center of the code symbol 3 and the center of the captured image have offset values d and e. An offset amount on a captured image, for example, a pixel value can be obtained. Further, since the actual size of the code symbol 3 is known, the actual sizes of the offset values d and e can be obtained. For example, if the offset value is obtained as (2 mm, 5 mm), the coordinates of the tip 5 can be obtained as (12 mm, 15 mm).

Although the examples of FIGS. 12 and 14 are ideal images for simplifying the description, generally, the image read by the image reading device 6 is such that the code symbol 3 is inclined, The image becomes distorted. FIG. 16 shows an image 12 in which the code symbol 3 is shown only in the outer frame. At this time, the writing implement 7 is determined by the inclination α of the code symbol 3 in the image.
Is obtained. Further, the inclination amount of the writing implement 7 can be determined from the distortion f of the code symbol 3. Furthermore, the position of the tip 5 is not always the center of the image 12, but since the positional relationship between the image 12 and the tip 5 is constant, it can also be obtained. Therefore, the position of the tip 5 can be more accurately obtained from the decoded data of the code symbol 3 and the calculated values of the position, the inclination, and the amount of distortion of the code symbol 3, thereby realizing the coordinate detecting means. can do.

If the position of the tip 5 on the recording medium 1 is continuously detected by using such a coordinate input device 4, the movement locus of the tip 5 on the recording medium 1 can be obtained. . If a device for detecting whether the tip 5 is in contact with the writing surface as described above is provided, the writing locus when writing on the recording medium 1 with the writing implement 7 can be obtained. The data of the writing trajectory at that time is stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 8. Also, as described above, the microcomputer 8
Is not provided, it is stored in the storage device of the information processing device 9.

The code symbol 3 encodes the identity information of the recording medium 1 as described above. Therefore, when an image forming operation is performed on the recording medium 1 by using the printer 10, the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Is provided, the identity information included in the code symbols 3 arranged on the recording medium 1 is read in accordance with the image forming operation. Thereby, as described above, the image source specifying information for specifying the image source and the identity information of the recording medium 1 are associated and recorded and stored in the association file 213 illustrated in FIG. The image source specifying information is, for example, a path name for a file (image source) such as “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”.

Then, when a writing operation is performed by the writing implement 7 on the recording medium 1 on which such an image is formed, the coordinate information and the identity information of the recording medium 1 are input to the coordinate input device 4. Therefore, the microcomputer 8 or the information processing device 9 in the coordinate input device 4 searches the association file 213 using the input identity information as a key, and acquires the path name 213c of the image source. Thereby, in the information processing device 9, for example, “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”, “10,10”, “10,11”, “1”
The image source specifying information and the coordinate information are obtained as in “0, 12.5”, “11, 14”,.

Further, before starting writing on the recording medium 1, the color information of the writing ink used by the writing implement 7 may be detected in advance. In this case, when writing is started, the color information detected before is attached to the detected document information and coordinate information, so that not only the shape of the actually written characters and figures, but also the written information is used. Even colors can be reproduced.

For example, it is assumed that the color of the ink used now is red. When the ink cartridge used in the writing implement 7 is changed to red, the coordinate input device 4 can detect that the ink is red ink. For example, a red mark or the like is attached to the ink cartridge. By attaching the mark to the writing implement 7, a sensor (not shown) provided on the writing implement 7 can detect the ink cartridge.
Next, as described above, in the coordinate input device 4, “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”, “10,10”, “10,11”, “1”
When the image source specifying information and the coordinate information such as “0, 12.5”, “11, 14”,... Are obtained, the coordinate input device 4 sets such data to data obtained by adding color information. That is, "red \ c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc, 10,10" (or "c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc, red, 10,10") "red \ c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc, 10 , 11 "" red \ c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc, 10,12.5 "" red \ c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc, 11,14 "

The coordinate information, document information, and color information obtained as described above are stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 8, and are transferred from the microcomputer 8 to the information processing device 9. Or,
The information processing device 9 generates the coordinate information, document information, and color information obtained as described above. In the information processing apparatus 9, an image source which is an original document of an image formed on the recording medium 1 is stored in a hard disk or the like in advance. Therefore, the information processing device 9 opens the image source, and adds the coordinate information, the document information, and the color information to the image source as if the contents written on the recording medium 1 were rewritten by the writing implement 7. And update the image source as follows.

In any case, in this embodiment, since the original document (image source) can be uniquely identified and the writing trajectory is obtained, these information are automatically added to the original document (image source). It's easy. That is, an electronic original document (image source) is read from image source specifying information such as a document name and a path name, and a writing locus based on coordinate information and color information may be added to the document. This makes it possible to easily construct an electronic document editing system in which the coordinate information, document information, and color information are obtained from the coordinate input device 4 and added to the original document (image source). Even if so-called word processor software is used, it can be easily realized by using its macro function.

Note that the above-described process of adding a writing locus to an original document (image source) does not necessarily need to be performed in real time. For example, the process may be temporarily stored in a memory in the microcomputer 8 and later processed with the microcomputer 8. The device 9 may be connected to execute rewriting on the original document (image source).
At this time, it is desirable that the operator of the information processing apparatus 9 ask the user for confirmation instead of immediately rewriting the original document (image source). Furthermore, it is desirable that the operator of the information processing device 9 can select the original document (image source) to be rewritten by operating the information processing device 9.
In this case, even when the code symbol 3 has no identity information for identifying the original document (image source), it is possible to select an appropriate original document (image source) and perform retouching.

Next, a case where a rewritable recording medium 1 is used as the recording medium 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording medium 1 has a support 13, and a code symbol layer 14 in which the code symbol 3 is embedded, a recording layer 15, an intermediate layer 16, and a protective layer 17 are sequentially laminated on the support 13. ing. The support 13 is made of a white resin having good thermal conductivity, and the intermediate layer 16 and the protective layer 17 are made of a colorless resin having good translucency.

As shown in FIG. 18, a heat-insulating undercoat layer 18 can be provided between the support 13 and the recording layer 15 in order to effectively use the applied heat. Undercoat layer 1
8 can be formed by applying organic or inorganic fine hollow particles using a binder resin. Three layers of code symbols indicating coordinate information indicating a writing locus and identity information of the recording medium 1 are provided in the undercoat layer 18. further,
Improvement of the adhesion between the support 13 and the recording layer 15
An undercoat layer for preventing the recording layer material from penetrating into the recording layer may be provided.

The code symbol 3 is formed of invisible ink as described above (the invisible material will be described later in detail). Code symbol 3 used here
For, if it is necessary to classify a wide variety of documents for document IDs in addition to the coordinate information, the barcode as described above will be insufficient in the number of classifications.
Use a two-dimensional code. By expanding to two dimensions, a code of about 20 digits can be generated.
It is also possible to attach an absolute identification number (for example, a serial number) as document information to the number of recording media 1 used worldwide. In other words, the ID of a once created document is fixed, and a document with only one ID in the world, that is, a document with only one in the world can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to use an invisible material that reflects light other than the visible light as described above and makes it difficult for a user to see, so that the ID of the document is not immediately identified, thereby enhancing security.

In this case, since the absolute identification number is added as the identity information when the recording medium 1 is created, when the recording medium 1 is actually printed by the printer, the image source which is the document data of the document 2 to be printed is used. It is necessary to associate identification information (for example, “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”) that is information for identifying with the identity information that is an absolute identification number. By doing so, it is possible to know what document 2 has been printed on which recording medium 1, and after editing with the present information processing system, it is possible to rewrite the original document (image source). That is, for the recording medium 1 with the identity information “123456”, “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.d” using the printer 10 (see FIG. 9) connected to the information processing device 9.
If the document 2 having the identification information “oc” is printed and its correspondence is recorded and stored in the correspondence file 213 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 9 automatically outputs “123456”. It is possible to associate with "c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc". This implements associating means. Therefore, when writing is performed on the printed recording medium 1 by the coordinate input device 4, the image reading device 6
In the association file 213, the identity information read in step 1 and the associated information stored in the information processing device 9 are collated, and the document data (image source) of the document 2 printed on the recording medium 1 Is called, and the document data is updated so that the coordinate information and color information read by the image reading device 6 are automatically added to the document data. This implements rewriting means.

Next, as described above, using red ink for the coordinate input device 4, the document information as the number of the recording medium 1 and the coordinate information are changed to "123456", "10,10", "10,11". ”“ 1
When input is made as "0, 12.5", "11, 14", etc., the coordinate input device 4 creates the following data. That is,
"Red \ 123456,10,10" (or "123456, red, 10,10") consisting of color information, document information, and coordinate information "red \ 123456,10,11""red \ 123456,10,12.5""Red \ 123456,11,14" ... When these are transferred to the information processing device 9, the information “123456” and “c: \ MyDocum” related as described above are
The original document can be specified by “ent \ Patent.doc”, and the rewritten information can be overwritten in red on the original document “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”. The processing described above may be performed by the printer 10 connected to the information processing device 9 or may be performed by the information processing device 9.

The recording layer 15 is a reversible recording layer capable of reversibly displaying information visually, and may employ a heat-sensitive method, a magnetic recording method, a photochromic recording method, an electrochromic method, or the like. In particular, in the embodiment of the present invention, a recording layer 15 that is capable of recording and erasing visible information by changing the optical characteristics reversibly by heat energy, that is, a thermal recording method, that is, a recording layer 15 is preferable. Writing with thermal energy is easy to print with a thermal sublimation type printer, for example.

As materials capable of performing reversible recording by this thermal energy, at least a recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer, a resin layer containing particles of an organic low-molecular compound, and a low-molecular or high-molecular liquid crystal compound are used. A reversible recording layer composed of a recording layer including the recording layer is preferable. The reversible recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer can be formed, for example, by dispersing the leuco dye and the developer in a resin binder. As leuco dyes, for example, phthalide-based compounds, asaphthalide-based compounds,
Known dye precursors such as fluoran compounds, phenothiazine compounds, leuco auramine compounds and the like can be mentioned. Specifically, known leuco dyes described in JP-A-5-124360 can be used. The developer is a structure having a color developing ability to develop a leuco dye in a molecule, such as a phenolic hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, and a structure controlling cohesion between molecules, such as a long chain hydrocarbon. A compound having a structure in which groups are linked. The linking moiety may be via a divalent group containing a hetero atom, or the long chain hydrocarbon group may contain a divalent group containing a hetero atom or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. . More specifically,
Known developers described in, for example, JP-A-124360 can be used.

The recording layer 15 is composed of a resin layer containing at least a leuco dye and a color developer. Examples of the resin forming the recording layer include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl acetal. , Polyvinyl butyral, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene oxide, fluorine resin, polyimide, polyamide,
Polyamide imide, polybenzimidazole, polystyrene, styrene copolymer, phenoxy resin, polyester, aromatic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, (meth) acrylate copolymer, maleic acid Copolymers, epoxy resins, alkyd resins, silicone resins, phenolic resins, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, starch, gelatin, caseins, etc. Can be mentioned.

For the purpose of increasing the strength of the film of the recording layer 15, various curing agents and crosslinking agents may be added. Examples of such curing agents and crosslinking agents include compounds having an isocyanate group, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, compounds having an epoxy group, glyoxal, and zirconium compounds. Further, the recording layer can be provided using an electron beam curable or ultraviolet curable binder. Examples of such a binder include compounds having an ethylenically unsaturated bond.

Specific examples of these are: 1. Poly (meth) acrylates of aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic polyhydric alcohols and polyalkylene glycols. 2. Poly (meth) acrylate of polyhydric alcohol obtained by adding polyalkylene oxide to aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, or araliphatic polyhydric alcohol. 3. Polyester poly (meth) acrylate 4. polyurethane poly (meth) acrylate Epoxy poly (meth) acrylate 6. 6. Polyamide poly (meth) acrylate 7. Poly (meth) acryloyloxyalkyl phosphate ester 8. Vinyl or diene compound having a (meth) acryloyl group in a side chain or at a terminal Monofunctional (meth) acrylate, vinylpyrrolidone,
(Meth) acryloyl compound 10. cyano compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond 11. Mono- or polycarboxylic acids having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and their alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, etc. 12. ethylenically unsaturated (meth) acrylamide or alkyl-substituted (meth) acrylamide and its multimers 13. vinyl lactam and polyvinyl lactam compound 14. Mono or polyether having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and its ester 15. Ester of an alcohol having an ethylenically unsaturated bond 16. Polyargol having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and its ester 17. an aromatic compound having one or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds, such as styrene and divinylbenzene; 18. Polyorganosiloxane compound having a (meth) acryloyloxy group at a side chain or at a terminal 20. Silicone compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond 20. Multimers or modified oligoester (meth) acrylates of the compounds described in 1 to 19 above.

The recording layer 15 is formed using an ultraviolet curable binder.
Is formed, a photopolymerization initiator is mixed and used.
As a photopolymerization initiator, acetophenones such as di- or trichloroacetophenone, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzoin, benzoin alkyl ether, benzyl dimethyl ketal, tetramethylthiuram monosulfite, thioxanthone, azo compound , Diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, bis
(Trichloromethyl) triazine compounds and the like.

The recording layer 15 using these leuco dyes and color developers develops and decolors in the process shown in FIG. When the initial decolored state (A) is heated, the leuco dye and the developer melt and mix at a temperature of T1 or higher to form a color (B), and when this state is rapidly cooled, the color development state is fixed (C).
As the color development state (C) is heated, the color is erased at a temperature T2 lower than the color development temperature T1 (D). The resin layer in which the recording layer 15 contains particles of an organic low-molecular compound is a recording layer whose transparency reversibly changes depending on the temperature, and the light scattering property of the recording layer 15 depends on the temperature. It is constructed using the property of reversibly changing.

The resin used for the recording layer 15 is a material which forms a layer in which organic low-molecular substances are uniformly dispersed and held, and which affects the transparency at the time of maximum transparency. For this reason, it is desirable that the resin base material has good transparency, is mechanically stable, and has good film-forming properties. Examples of such a resin include polyvinyl chloride; vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acid copolymer, and vinyl chloride-
Polyvinylidene-based copolymers such as acrylate copolymers; polyvinylidene chloride-based copolymers such as polyvinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer, and vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer; polyesters; polyamides;
Polyacrylate or polymethacrylate or acrylate-methacrylate copolymer; silicone resin and the like. These may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

The organic low molecular weight compound used for the recording layer 15 generally has a melting point of 30 to 200 ° C., preferably 50 to 200 ° C.
What is about 150 degreeC is used. Such organic low molecular weight compounds include alkanols; alkanediols;
Alkylamines; alkanes; alkenes; anolequines; halogen alkanes; halogen alkenes; halogen alkynes; cycloalkanes; cycloalkenes; cycloalkynes; saturated or unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids or esters, amides or ammoniums thereof Salts; saturated or unsaturated halogen fatty acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; allylcarboxylic acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; halogen allylcarboxylic acids or their esters, amides or ammonium salts; thioalcohols; Or esters, amines or ammonium salts thereof; carboxylic acid esters of thioalcohols and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. These compounds have a carbon number of 10 to 60, preferably 10 to 3
8, particularly preferably 10 to 30. The alcohol group in the ester may be saturated or unsaturated, and may be halogen-substituted.

In any case, the organic low molecular weight compound contains at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and halogen in the molecule.
Species, such as -OH, -COOH, -CONH, -COO
_{R, -NH -, - NH 2} , -S -, - S-S -, - O
-, A compound containing halogen and the like. Further, in order to widen the range of the temperature at which the liquid crystal can be made transparent, the above-mentioned organic low-molecular compound may be appropriately combined, or the organic low-molecular compound may be combined with another material having a different melting point. These are disclosed, for example, in JP-A-63-39378 and JP-A-63-130380, and Japanese Patent Application No. 63-39380.
No. 14,754, Japanese Patent Application No. 1-140109, etc., but are not limited thereto.

The recording layer 15 composed of these organic low-molecular compounds and resin becomes transparent and cloudy in the process shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, which shows a change in transparency due to heat, the reversible recording layer mainly composed of a resin and an organic low-molecular compound dispersed in the resin is in a cloudy and opaque state at room temperature of T0 or less. When this is heated to the temperature T2, it becomes transparent, and in this state, it is still transparent even when it is returned to room temperature below T0. Further heating to a temperature above T3 results in a translucent state intermediate between the maximum transparency and the maximum opacity. Next, when the temperature is lowered, the state returns to the original cloudy and opaque state without taking the transparent state again. When the opaque state is heated to a temperature between T1 and T2 and then cooled to room temperature, that is, a temperature equal to or lower than T0, an intermediate state between transparent and opaque can be obtained. In addition, the material which has become transparent at the normal temperature is again heated to a temperature of T3 or higher and then returned to the normal temperature, thereby returning to a cloudy and opaque state again.

Further, as the high-molecular liquid crystal used for the recording layer in which the recording layer 15 contains a low-molecular or high-molecular liquid crystal,
A main-chain or side-chain molecular liquid crystal in which a mesogen (molecule having liquid crystallinity) is bonded to a main chain or a side chain is used. The polymer liquid crystal can be usually produced by polymerizing a polymerizable mesogenic compound (referred to as mesogenic monomer) or by adding a mesogen compound capable of undergoing an addition reaction to a reactive polymer such as hydrogenated polysilicone. Such a technique is described in Makromo1.Chem., 179, p273 (1978), Eur, Po1y.J., 18, p651.
(1982) Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 169, p167 (1989). The polymer liquid crystal used in this embodiment can be manufactured in the same manner.

The mesogen monomer and the mesogen compound capable of addition reaction include biphenyl, phenylbenzoate, cyclohexylbenzene, azoxybenzene, azobenzene, azomethine, phenylpyrimidine, diphenylacetylene, biphenylbenzoate, and cyclohexyl. An acrylate group, preferably a rigid molecule such as a biphenyl-based or terphenyl-based molecule (mesogen) via an alkyl spacer having a predetermined length.
Typical examples include various compounds having a methacrylate group or a vinyl group bonded thereto.

Finally, an invisible material will be described. Among the invisible materials that can be optically detected, a material that absorbs light and can be detected based on the difference in its reflection intensity, or a material that can be excited by absorbing light to emit fluorescence and detect it is used. Can be As a material that absorbs light and can be detected by a difference in reflection intensity, a material having low absorption in the visible region and having absorption in other wavelength regions can be used. The coordinate information and the document information are formed from an absorbing portion and a reflecting portion formed of these materials, and information can be detected from a difference in optical density outside the visible region due to the absorption / reflection. Further, since the difference between the optical densities in the visible region is extremely small, these are hardly visually recognized by the naked eye. Regarding the irradiation light, in consideration of the light distribution such as deterioration of the recording medium content due to ultraviolet light, by irradiation with infrared light,
Desirably, it can be optically recognized.

Organic infrared absorbing materials include cyanine dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, phthalocyanine dyes,
Anthraquinone dyes, diol dyes, triphenylmethane dyes and the like can be mentioned. Since they also absorb in the visible range, they have a reddish cream color. On the other hand, an inorganic material having no absorption in the visible region and having absorption in the infrared region is more desirable. For example, a compound containing at least Nd, Yb, In, Sn, and Zn can be used. In particular, compounds such as these metals and their oxides, sulfides, and halides are desirable. These compounds are white or pale blue and are suitable for making information carriers invisible. Specific examples of these compounds include ytterbium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, ytterbium sulfide, zinc sulfide, ytterbium chloride, indium chloride, tin hydride, zinc chloride, ytterbium bromide, indium bromide, and indium-tin mixed oxide. object,
Alternatively, a mixture of an indium-tin mixed oxide and one selected from alumina, barium sulfate, silicon dioxide, and calcium carbonate may be used.

Further, salts of Yb, In, Sn, and Zn with these acids are also effective infrared absorbing materials. As specific examples of these, ytterbium sulfate, zinc sulfate, indium sulfate, ytterbium nitrate, tin nitrate, ytterbium perchlorate, ytterbium carbonate, zinc carbonate, indium carbonate, ytterbium acetate, zinc acetate, tin acetate,
Examples include ytterbium nicotinate, ytterbium phosphate, zinc phosphate, tin phosphate, ytterbium oxalate, zinc oxalate, tin oxalate, and the like.

Further, as a material capable of being excited by light absorption to emit fluorescence and detecting the same, a material which can be detected based on the emitted fluorescence wavelength and intensity difference is used. In particular, in consideration of light resistance such as deterioration of the content of the recording medium due to ultraviolet light, a material that emits fluorescence when excited by infrared light is preferable. As a material that absorbs infrared light and emits fluorescence, there is an organometallic compound containing at least Nd as an optically active element. The organic compound in these organometallic compounds is selected from carboxylic acids, ketones, ethers, and amines.
Specific examples of these include neodymium cinnamate and neodymium naphthoate. Further, as an optically active element, an organometallic compound containing Nd and Yb is more preferable. Specific examples thereof include neodymium cinnamate / ytterbium complex salt, neodymium benzoate / ytterbium complex salt, and neodymium naphthoate / ytterbium complex. And the like.

In addition, oxygenates containing at least one element of Nd, Yb, and Er can be used as the infrared fluorescent material. Specific examples of the oxygen-containing compound include a phosphate compound, a vanadate compound, a heavy borate compound, and a molybdate compound. Further, Fe and Er are contained as optically active elements, and Sc, Ga,
A compound containing at least one element selected from Al, In, Y, Bi, Ce, Gd, Lu, and La can also be used as the infrared fluorescent material. In addition, Yb is contained as an optically active element, and Sc, Ga, Al, In,
A compound containing at least one element selected from Y, Bi, Ce, Gd, Lu, and La can also be used as the infrared fluorescent material. Further, one or more rare earth-containing organic compounds selected from Nb, Yb, and Er, in which an organic compound having absorption in the infrared region is held, can also be used as the infrared fluorescent material. These organic compounds having absorption in the infrared region can be selected from polymethine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, diol dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, indophenol dyes, azo dyes, and the like.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention] An information processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the recording medium 1 used in this information processing system. A document is recorded on the recording medium 1 in a state where the document can be visually read by a human, and is generally made of paper, cloth, plastic, or the like, and has a sheet shape. Reference numeral 2 denotes a human-readable document itself, such as characters, figures, and tables. Reference numeral 3 denotes an optically readable code symbol, which will be described in detail later, and is generally a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like.

The absorption wavelength or the emission wavelength of the ink of the document 2 and the code symbol 3 are not overlapped with each other, so that the document 2 is in a wavelength range that can be visually read by a human, and the code symbol 3 cannot be read by a human. In Although,
When printing is performed in an optically readable wavelength range, the document 2 and the code symbol 3 can be printed in an overlapping manner and can be read independently. As an ink which is invisible to humans, for example, there is stealth ink manufactured by Hitachi Maxell, and a sheet for a thermal transfer printer is also prepared. It is barely visible to humans and is optically readable in the infrared. On the other hand, in the infrared region, transparent black ink is also commercially available. Therefore, if a commercially available thermal transfer printer using these inks is used, a human-visible document 2 and an invisible code symbol 3 can be printed by a printer. (The invisible ink material is as described in the first embodiment of the present invention).

In the example of FIG. 21, the code symbols 3 are arranged in a matrix. The code symbol 3 encodes a mark indicating the coordinates of the code symbol 3 on the surface of the recording medium 1 on which the code symbol 3 is printed. For example, "0101" is encoded for the code symbol 3a at the upper left of FIG. 21, the code symbol 3b is "0102", and the code symbol 3c is "020".
1 "and the code symbol 3d are encoded as" 0202 ". Alternatively, as another example, code symbol 3
a is "aa" and the code symbol 3b is "a".
b, the code symbol 3c may be encoded as “ba”, and the code symbol 3d may be encoded as “bb”. Anything can be used as long as each of the plurality of code symbols 3 can be uniquely identified in this manner, and there is no particular restriction on the arrangement. However, as shown in FIG. It is desirable to arrange.

More specifically, the origin is located at the upper left of the drawing, and the x-axis and the y-axis are taken rightward and downward. Here, the code symbol 3 of “0101” is arranged at the position of (10 mm, 10 mm) on the x-axis and the y-axis, and the code symbol 3 of “0102” is positioned at the position of (10 mm, 20 mm). , (20mm, 10mm)
The code symbol 3 of “201” is arranged.

FIG. 21 shows a DataMatrix code as the optically readable code symbol 3, but there are some other well-known similar code symbols. Code
One, AztecCode, MaxiCode, QR
Code or the like can be used. Further, a one-dimensional barcode or a unique code may be used.

Further, the information encoded as the code symbol 3 does not indicate a physical position on the recording medium 1, but indicates a logical position of the document, for example, Chapter 1, Section 2, It may be something like "01020506" which means the fifth paragraph and the sixth character.

It is desirable to record the code symbol 3 over as wide a range as possible on the recording medium 1, but it is not necessary to record it on the entire surface. For example, when printing with a printer, the periphery of the paper is often in a non-printable range.
In such a case, it is not always necessary to print on such a portion.

In the example of FIG. 21, code symbol 3 includes
Only the coordinate information indicating the position on the surface of the recording medium 1 is encoded. In addition to this, identity information which is information for uniquely identifying the recording medium 1 is also encoded and recorded. . The code symbol 3 that encodes the identity information may be arranged on the recording medium 1 separately from the code symbol 3 that represents the coordinate information, but may be simultaneously encoded with the code symbol 3 that represents the coordinate information. For example, in the case of a two-dimensional code, such an amount of information has a size of several millimeters square, so that it is possible to encode sufficiently even if both are combined.

The electric connection state of the coordinate input device 4 used in the information processing system of the present invention is the same as that described above with reference to FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
The coordinate input device 4 includes a writing implement 7 in the form of a writing implement that allows a hand-held writing operation by a person. This writing instrument 7
If necessary, a writing instrument, that is, a tip portion of a ball-point pen or a mechanical pencil, may be attached to the tip 5 to enable actual writing. The image reading device 6 provided on a side portion of the writing instrument 7 includes, for example, a photoelectric conversion element 6a such as a CCD and an optical system 6b including a lens, and reads an image on the recording medium 1. It is. Note that the image reading device 6 can be provided with illumination as needed. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the writing instrument 7 is being written in the recording medium 1 with the hand.

A microcomputer 8 is mounted on the writing implement 7, and an image reading device 6 is connected to the microcomputer 8. The microcomputer 8 performs various processes based on the image on the recording medium 1 read by the image reading device 6. That is, the read code symbol 3 is decoded, and the position, the direction, and the distortion amount of the code symbol 3 on the read image are detected. As a result, a decoding unit and a distortion amount calculating unit are realized. The microcomputer 8 is a writing instrument 7
Can be connected to an information processing device 9 such as an external PC,
The data stored in the microcomputer 8 can be output to the information processing device 9. In addition, instead of mounting the microcomputer 8 on the writing implement 7, the image reading device 6 is connected to the information processing device 9,
The processing performed by the microcomputer 8 may be executed by the information processing device 9. In FIG. 9, the image reading device 6,
A power supply for supplying power to the microcomputer 8 and the like and an interface between the microcomputer 8 and the information processing device 9 are not shown.

It is desirable that the writing implement 7 be provided with a device for detecting whether or not the tip 5 is in contact with the writing surface. That is, the tip portion 5 is movable in the direction along the pen axis, and the tip portion 5 moves when the tip portion 5 comes into contact with the writing surface, which is detected mechanically or by a change in conductivity. The technique is well known as a technique already applied to a pen or the like of a tablet.

FIG. 23 shows an example of an image obtained by reading the recording medium 1 as shown in FIG. If the shooting range of the coordinate input device 4 is at least twice the width of the code symbol 3, at least one code symbol 3 falls within the image reading range. Actually, the adjacent code symbol 3 also falls within the reading range, but is omitted in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the surface of the recording medium 1 and the imaging surface of the image reading device 6 do not necessarily face each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the read image of the code symbol 3 has distortion. Here, for example, FIG.
If the result of reading the code symbol 3 in the frame 11 and decoding the coordinate information included in the code symbol 3 by the microcomputer 8 is obtained as “0102”, the coordinate input device 4 at least outputs the rectangular frame 11 shown in FIG. The coordinate position on the recording medium 1 can be detected with the accuracy of the size (for the technique, also refer to JP-A-61-296421).

However, in this case, the resolution is several millimeters to 1 cm.
Is very small, and there is a problem in practical use. Alternatively, to reduce the size of the code symbol 3 in order to increase the resolution, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the printer or the image reading device 6 that prints the code symbol 3. Costly and impractical.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the frame 11 of the image read by the image reading device 6 as shown in FIG.
Is processed by the microcomputer 8 to detect the position, the direction, and the amount of distortion of the code symbol 3 in the frame 11. The specific means are as described in the first embodiment of the invention.

When a two-dimensional code is decoded with an image as shown in FIG. 23, for example, data "0102" is obtained. Since the printing position of the code symbol 3 is known, for example, the center of the code symbol 3 of “0102” is (10 m in xy coordinates from the upper left of the paper surface of the recording medium 1).
m, 20 mm). On the other hand, assuming that the size of the code symbol 3 is also known, for example, 5 mm in length and width, the coordinate positions of the four corners of the code symbol 3 are (7.5 mm, 17.5 mm), (7.5 mm, 2
2.5mm), (12.5mm, 17.5mm), (1
2.5 mm, 22.5 mm). It is known that the relational expression of the four coordinate positions of the code symbol 3 is given by the following equation.

[0138]

(Equation 1)

In this equation, the subscript r is the coordinate on the paper surface of the recording medium 1, and the subscript s is the coordinate on the image read by the image reading device 6. Since there are eight unknowns in this equation, all the coefficients (projection transformation coefficients) can be obtained if the coordinate positions of the four corners of the code symbol 3 are known as described above. next,
By using these coefficients and equations, it is possible to determine the coordinates on the paper surface for an arbitrary point on the image. Therefore, the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 corresponding to the position of the tip 5 can be obtained. The point on the image corresponding to the tip 5 is
It can also be obtained from the positional relationship between the tip 5 and the image reading device 6, or may be measured when the tip 5 is shown on the image. In any case, since the positional relationship between the distal end portion 5 and the image reading device 6 is fixed, it can be easily obtained. By continuously detecting the position of the distal end portion 5 using such a coordinate input device 4, the movement locus of the distal end portion 5 can be obtained. As described above, if a device for detecting whether the tip 5 is in contact with the writing surface is provided, the writing locus can be obtained. Writing locus data is writing implement 7
The information may be stored in the storage device of the microcomputer 8 inside, or may be taken out to the information processing device 9 in real time.

When data obtained by encoding the read image of the code symbol 3 is obtained, the microcomputer 8 determines the coordinates on the paper of the recording medium 1 corresponding to the position of the leading end 5 from the data. The contents will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the microcomputer 8 obtains the coordinates of the center of the code symbol 3 on the paper of the recording medium 1 from the encoding result of the code symbol 3 (step S1). And
From the coordinates of the center of the code symbol 3 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1, the coordinates of the four corners of the code symbol 3 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 are obtained (step S2). From the coordinates on the paper at the four corners of the code symbol 3 and the coordinates on the image, a projective transformation coefficient is obtained as described above (step S3). Then, the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the front end 5 can be obtained from the positional relationship between the front end 5 and the image reading device 6 and the projection conversion coefficient (step S4).

As described above, the code symbol 3 encodes identity information, which is data that can uniquely identify the recording medium 1. Then, by searching the association file 213 exemplified in FIG. 6 using the read and decoded identity information as a key, the coordinate input device 4 can obtain, for example, “c: \ MyDocument \ Patent.doc”, “10 , 10,10,11,1
Image source specifying information and coordinate information such as “0, 12.5”, “11, 14”, etc. are obtained.

As a result, the original document (image source) can be uniquely identified and the writing trajectory can be obtained. Therefore, it is easy to automatically add such information to the original document (image source). An electronic original document (image source) may be read from image source specifying information such as a document name and a bus name, and a writing locus based on coordinate information may be added to the document. Coordinate input device 4
An electronic document editing system in which the coordinate information and the document information are obtained and added to the original document (image source) can be easily constructed. It can be easily realized by using the macro function.

It is not always necessary to perform the above-described processing for adding the writing locus to the original document (image source) in real time. For example, the processing is temporarily stored in the memory of the microcomputer 8 and is later processed by the microcomputer 8. The device 9 may be connected to execute retouching on the original document (image source). At this time, it is desirable that the operator of the information processing apparatus 9 ask the user for confirmation instead of immediately rewriting the original document (image source). Further, it is desirable that the original document (image source) to be rewritten can be selected by the operator of the information processing apparatus 9 by operating the information processing apparatus 9. In this case, the original document (image source) is identified by the code symbol 3. Even if there is no identity information to be added, it is possible to select an appropriate original document (image source) and perform retouching.

Next, another example of the means for detecting the position of the leading end portion 5 on the recording medium 1 will be described. FIG.
Shows an image read by the image reading device 6 of the recording medium 1 used in this another example. As shown in FIG. 25, in the recording medium 1, squares around a code symbol 3, which is a two-dimensional code in which coordinate information and document information similar to those shown in FIG. . Are arranged. Four other symbol figures 21, 21,...

As described in the first embodiment of the present invention, when calculating the amount of distortion of the code symbol 3 using only the image of the code symbol 3 of the two-dimensional code, the image of the corner portion of the code symbol 3 is calculated. However, since the code symbol 3 is not originally used for such a purpose,
In some cases, such as when there is no dot in the corner of the code symbol 3, sufficient accuracy cannot be obtained.

Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 25, in addition to the code symbol 3, symbol figures 21, 21,... For detecting the amount of distortion of the code symbol 3 are arranged.
The symbol figures 21, 21,... Do not need to be encoded and taken out of the data, so that a shape that is easy to detect is desirable. In the example of FIG. 25, the shape is square, but may be circular. By using the template matching method, the coordinates (hereinafter, referred to as feature points) of the symbol figures 21, 21,... On the screen can be detected.

[0147] Actually, the symbol figure 2 is displayed on the screen.
Since there are other square figures in addition to the symbols 1, 21, ..., the extracted symbol figures 21, 21, ... are not always arranged around the target code symbol 3, and A point one block away may be detected, and which point is extracted differs from time to time. However, since the distance between the image reading device 6 and the paper surface of the recording medium 1 is substantially constant, the square symbol graphic 21,
The intervals in the images 21, 21, ... are also substantially constant. Therefore, it is possible to determine in which block each feature point or code symbol 3 is located. Since the arrangement of the code symbols 3 and the symbol figures 21, 21,... Is determined in advance, the procedure for obtaining the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 with respect to them is as follows.

That is, FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the processing for obtaining the coordinates of the leading end portion 5 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1. As shown in FIG. 26, first, the microcomputer 8 obtains the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the center of the code symbol 3 from the encoding result of the code symbol 3 (step S11). Then, the coordinates on the image at the center of the code symbol 3 and the coordinates on the image of each feature point are obtained. From the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the center of the code symbol 3 obtained in step S1, each feature point is obtained. Are obtained on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at step (step S12). This step S12 implements a symbol figure calculation means. Then, from the coordinates on the paper of each feature point obtained in step S12 and the coordinates on the image, the projective transformation coefficient is obtained as described above (step S13). Then, the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the tip 5 can be obtained from the positional relationship between the tip 5 and the image reading device 6 and the projection conversion coefficient (step S1).
4). This step S14 implements a coordinate detecting means.

Further, the following may be performed. That is,
As shown in FIG. 27, at least four code symbols 3 of a two-dimensional code in which coordinate information and identity information are encoded are read, and the encoding result and the center of each code symbol 3 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 are read. Get the coordinates of.

As described above, since the detection of the corner of the code symbol 3 which is a two-dimensional code may not be performed with sufficient accuracy, in this example, the projection is performed using the center coordinates of the four code symbols 3. Find the conversion coefficient. That is, the procedure for obtaining coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 is as follows.

That is, FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the processing for obtaining the coordinates of the leading end portion 5 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1. As shown in FIG. 28, first, the microcomputer 8 calculates the encoding result of the four code symbols 3 from
The coordinates of the center of each code symbol 3 on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 are obtained (step S21). Then, the coordinates on the image at the center of the four code symbols 3 are obtained, and the projective transformation coefficient is obtained from the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the center of each code symbol 3 obtained in step S21 as described above. It is determined (step S22).
This step S22 implements a code symbol detecting means. Then, coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 at the tip 5 can be obtained from the positional relationship between the tip 5 and the image reading device 6 and the projection conversion coefficient (step S).
23). This step S23 implements a coordinate detecting means.

In the example described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship between the symbol figures 21, 21,... (Step S12), FIGS. 27 and 2
In the example described with reference to FIG. 8, since the coordinates on the paper surface of the recording medium 1 can be obtained by encoding each code symbol 3, the processing corresponding to step S12 can be omitted, and the processing speed can be reduced. Can be achieved. On the other hand, in the example described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, it is necessary to encode the code symbol 3 of the two-dimensional code in a wider range than the example described with reference to FIGS. The optical system 6b needs to be capable of reading an image in a wide range. Therefore, the example described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26 can reduce the manufacturing cost of the image reading device 6 as compared with the example described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

In the example described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, four symbol figures 21 are used. One of them can be substituted by the coordinates of the center of the code symbol 3. Alternatively, five or more symbol graphics 21 can be used, the conversion coefficient can be obtained with higher accuracy using the least squares method, 5, the coordinates on the recording medium 1 can be detected more precisely. The structure and material of the recording medium 1 are as described in the first embodiment of the invention.

[Third Embodiment] An information processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a third embodiment. The information processing system according to the present embodiment basically has the same system configuration as the above-described first and second embodiments. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

<Basic Configuration> As described above, the recording medium 1
A code symbol 3 which encodes coordinate information and identity information is prepared on the surface of the device, and the code symbol 3 is standardized when the code symbol 3 is obtained by, for example, scanning a scanner and performing image processing. Not something. Therefore, not all devices are compatible with each other. For example, when a certain code symbol 3 is read, even if it is recognized with a code system different from the code system, correct recognition is not performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one solution is provided for such a compatibility problem.

The solution according to the present embodiment conceptually replaces code symbol 3 according to a certain code system with code symbol 3 (second code symbol 301) of another code system.
And a device that follows the other code system recognizes the second code symbol 301, which is the same as that of recognizing the first code symbol 3 that is a code system different from the second code symbol 301. It has an effect. Hereinafter, details of the mechanism will be described.

FIG. 29 shows the information processing device 9 (printer 22).
1 or a copying machine 241). The mechanism for acquiring the coordinate information and the identity information from such a code symbol 3 is the same as in the first and second embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted. The information processing device 9 (may be a printer 221 or a copying machine 241) reads the coordinate information and the identity information from the code symbol 3 recorded on the recording medium 1 by using the technique introduced in the second embodiment. And the information processing device 9
Is a two-dimensional code (second code symbol 301) according to a different code system by using the coordinate information and the identity information.
And print it on the printer 10 (code symbol printing means).

Here, the code symbol 3 illustrated in FIG. 29 is assumed to read, for example, the upper left code symbol 3 illustrated in FIG. The code symbol 3 corresponds to “0102”, for example. Therefore, the information processing device 9 sets the code symbol 3
Is different from the code symbol 3 in FIG.
After converting to the second code symbol 301 as exemplified in FIG.
2 ”from the upper left of the recording medium 1 (10 mm,
20 mm). In this case, assuming that the size of the code symbol 3a is, for example, 5 mm, the positions of the vertices of the code symbol 3a in paper coordinates are (7.5 mm, 17.5 mm) and (7.
5mm, 22.5mm), (12.5mm, 17.5m
m), (12.5 mm, 22.5 mm) (see FIG. 32).

When such processing is performed for all the code symbols 3 in the recording medium 1 illustrated in FIG. 30, the state where the converted second code symbol 301 is printed is as shown in FIG. Thus, the data conversion from the code symbol 3 to the second code symbol 301 and the printing process are completed.

FIG. 34 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 9 (may be a printer 221 or a copying machine 241) of the present embodiment. When viewed as a hardware configuration, these functional blocks can be recognized as a block of various processing contents executed by the microcomputer according to a specific program code. That is, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 34 represent the functions generated by the processing executed by the microprocessor in accordance with the program codes stored in the storage medium such as the ROM in the form of blocks.

The information processing apparatus 9 (printer 22
1 or the copying machine 241) has the following mechanism.

First, the primary code reading section 501 (for example, a scanner) reads the first code symbol 3. Based on the image acquired here, the primary code discriminating unit 502
To obtain coordinate information. Primary code discriminator 502
When determining the first code symbol 3, it is necessary to obtain what coordinate information the code symbol indicates. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the information is obtained from the primary code information recording medium 503 stored in the HDD, and the primary code determination unit 502 determines the coordinate information. Next, the data is passed to the secondary code replacement unit 504. Here, from the first code symbol 3 to the second code symbol
Is replaced with a code symbol 301 (encoding means). At that time, the second code symbol 30
The coordinate information represented by 1 is required. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correspondence between the coordinate information and the second code symbol 301 is stored in the secondary code information recording medium 5 stored in the HDD.
Obtain from 05. Finally, the information is recorded in the primary code / secondary code correspondence information recording unit 506 which records which first code symbol 3 has been replaced with the second code symbol 301. The primary code / secondary code correspondence information recording unit 506
Is constructed using, for example, a storage area of an HDD. The primary code / secondary code correspondence information recording unit 506 stores a first code symbol 3 and a second code symbol 3
01 replacement information is recorded.

FIG. 35 is a functional block diagram showing a modification of the information processing apparatus 9 (may be a printer 221 or a copying machine 241) of the present embodiment. When viewed as a hardware configuration, these functional blocks can be recognized as a block of various processing contents executed by the microcomputer according to a specific program code. That is, FIG.
Is a block diagram of a function generated by a process executed by a microprocessor in accordance with a program code stored in a storage medium such as a ROM.

When the HDD is provided with a primary code coordinate corresponding document information recording medium 511, and the first code symbol 3 includes identity information, and the identity information is associated with the document information, When the code symbol 3 is replaced with the second code symbol 301, it is necessary to associate the second code symbol 301 with the document information.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the primary code discriminating section 502 discriminates the coordinate information and the identity information of the first code symbol 3, the document information corresponding to the discriminated identity information is replaced by the primary code. Coordinate-corresponding document information recording medium 5
Obtained from 11.

After acquiring the correspondence between the code symbol 3 and the document information, the secondary code replacement unit 504 determines the correspondence between the second code symbol 301 and the document information, for example, in a partial area of the HDD. Is recorded on the secondary code coordinate corresponding document information recording medium 512 using
The secondary code coordinate correspondence document information recording medium 512 illustrated in FIG. 36 illustrates a recording example of such correspondence.

<Printing of Second Code Symbol> FIG.
Are the first code symbol 3 and the second code symbol 3
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a recording medium on which a print No. 01 is printed and recorded. In this embodiment, the second code symbol 301 can be printed and recorded on the recording medium 1 on which the first code symbol 3 is printed and recorded. To display two types of code symbols 3 and 301 on the same recording medium 1,
Proceed as follows.

First, the first code symbols 3 and the second code symbols 301 are alternately arranged as shown in FIG. 37, and separate information processing devices 9 (such as the printer 221 and the copier 241) conforming to the respective code systems. ) Can obtain the coordinate information and the identity information.
However, according to this method, the arrangement of the code symbols 3 and 301 for reading the coordinates becomes sparse, and the coordinate density decreases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the problem is avoided by making either the first code symbol 3 or the second code symbol 301 an invisible code and superimposing them on the recording medium 1 (see FIG. 38). .

As shown in FIG. 38, the first code symbol 3 of the invisible code is replaced with the second code symbol 301.
Is formed on. And the first code symbol 3
And the second code symbol 301 can be read individually even when they are superimposed. Here, in FIG. 38, for convenience of illustration, two types of code symbols are staggered, but actually, the two types of code symbols are superimposed and arranged at exactly the same place. However, even if two types of code symbols are staggered,
That reading is not prevented. This allows
Two types of codes can be written on one recording medium 1, and two types of code systems can be used in one information processing device 9 (the printer 221 or the copier 241 may be used).

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of code combinations represented by a single code symbol 3 is naturally limited, while the second code symbol 301 is used together. Thus, the number of combinations can be increased. By increasing the number of combinations of codes, the effect of expanding the area represented on the recording medium 1 can be obtained. For example, suppose that two codes are printed in a completely overlapping manner. At this time, it is assumed that “1234” is obtained from the first code symbol 3 and “5678” is obtained from the second code symbol 301. When this is compared, in the case of only one of the code combinations, there are 10,000 combinations (0000-9999 / 10 decimal numbers) of codes that can be expressed. On the other hand, two numerical values “1234” and “5678” are combined and treated as one code,
8 "is 10,000 × 10000,
100,000,000 ways of expression are possible. Therefore,
The expressible area on the recording medium 1 is expanded.

The effects of the present embodiment as described above also bring about an improvement in coordinate reading accuracy. As illustrated in FIG. 39A, a first code symbol 3 and a second code symbol 3
It is assumed that 01 and 01 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 39B, it is assumed that the center of the second code symbol 301 is located at a position (10 mm, 20 mm) from the upper left of the recording medium 1. The distance between the center coordinates of the code and the four surrounding auxiliary symbols is given at 2.5 mm intervals in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Under such an assumption, looking at only the second code symbol 301, the second code symbol 3
It can be seen that the resolution of the coordinates obtained from 01 is 2.5 mm. On the other hand, the first code symbol 3 is
As shown in FIG. 39 (c), the second code symbol 301 located in the vicinity is printed offset by 1.25 mm in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. FIG. 39C shows a state where such a first code symbol 3 is viewed through a visible cut filter. Thus, two code symbols 3, 301
Can be read at an interval of 1.25 mm by complementing each other, thereby improving the reading coordinate accuracy.

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 9 (may be a printer 221 or a copying machine 241) for reading code symbols 3 and 301 (invisible code and visible code) according to two kinds of code systems. The information processing device 9 and the like include a primary code reading unit 501 and a secondary code reading unit 521. These primary code reading units 501
One of the secondary code reading unit 521 and the secondary code reading unit 521 is equipped with a visible cut filter for reading an invisible code. The primary code / secondary code discriminating unit 522 receives a first code symbol from the primary code information recording medium 503 based on information output from both the primary code reading unit 501 and the secondary code reading unit 521. The coordinate information indicated by the second code symbol 301 is extracted from the secondary code information recording medium 505.
Thus, the coordinate information indicated by the first code symbol 3 and the second code symbol 301 can be recognized. Then, the primary code coordinate corresponding document information recording medium 51
By obtaining information from the document information recording medium 512 corresponding to the first and second code coordinates, the first code symbol 3 and the second code symbol 3 are obtained.
The document information corresponding to the coordinate information with the code symbol 301 can be obtained. At this time, when the corresponding document information can be acquired only from one of the code coordinate corresponding document information recording media 511 or 512,
For example, when the document information can be obtained only from the primary code coordinate corresponding document information recording medium 511, the information is 1
The next code is stored in the secondary code correspondence information recording unit 506. This converts the document information to the first code symbol 3
And the second code symbol 301.

<Invisible Code Symbol> Here, the toner for forming the invisible code symbol 3 or 301 will be described. Examples of such toners include diimonium-based near-infrared absorbing dyes (products of Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.).
IRG-022] to form an image including a black image on paper on which an invisible code is printed. This image,
When observed by a CCD through a visible cut filter, a visible image is not seen and only an invisible code is recognized. That is, in code symbols 3 and 301 shown in FIG.
Only the first code symbol 3 shown in FIG. 39 (c) can be recognized.

In practice, when forming an image on the recording medium 1, instead of using the conventional infrared absorbing black toner, a yellow toner, a magenta toner, and a cyan toner are used to transmit infrared rays. Toner can be formed. That is, an image is formed on the invisible toner by the toner. As a result, an image of the second code symbol 301 is formed on the first code symbol 3 using the toner that absorbs infrared light with the toner (yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) that does not absorb infrared light. Accordingly, the two code symbols 3 and 301 can be superimposed and represented at low cost.

Next, examples of toner will be described. As a resin, a weight average molecular weight (Mw = 1) obtained by polymerizing terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide-added bisphenol A is obtained.
2000), a polyester resin having an acid value of 5 and a softening point TM of 110 ° C. is used. This polyester resin is mixed with a colorant to prepare a yellow toner, a magenta toner, and a cyan toner. (1) Yellow toner 95% by weight of the polyester resin and C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 95 (5% by weight) is melt-kneaded by an extruder, and then pulverized and classified to obtain 50% by weight of a toner having an average particle diameter of 7.0 μm and 4.5 μm of an average particle diameter.
To obtain 50% by weight of fine powder. (2) Magenta toner 95% by weight of the polyester resin and C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 (5% by weight) is melt-kneaded by an extruder kneader, and then pulverized and classified to obtain 50% by weight of a toner having an average particle size of 7.0 μm and ≦ 4 μm (pop) = 10% and an average particle size of 50%. 50% by weight of 4.5μm fine powder
Get. (3) Cyan toner 95% by weight of the polyester resin and C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 35% by weight is melt-kneaded by an extruder kneader, and then pulverized and classified to obtain 50% by weight of a toner having an average particle size of 7.0 μm, ≦ 4 μm (pop) = 10%, and 50% by weight. 50% by weight of fine powder having a particle size of 4.5 μm% are obtained. (4) Black toner The fine powder obtained in the above (1) to (3) is used for producing a black toner.

The fine powder separated in the above (1) to (3) is
35% by weight of yellow fine powder, 36% by weight of magenta fine powder and 29% by weight of cyan fine powder are mixed and melt-kneaded,
Thereafter, the mixture is pulverized and classified to obtain 50% by weight of a black toner having an average particle size of 7.0 μm.

The above color toner and black toner are
Combined with ferrite carrier coated with styrene-methacrylate-copolymer, electrophotographic printer (IPSiO color 5100D (trade name) manufactured by Ricoh)
To be introduced. The toner is used to form an image on paper on which an invisible code is formed with a near-infrared absorbing material. further,
When this image is observed with a CCD through a visible cut filter, the visible image is not seen and only the invisible code is recognized, and the code symbols 3 and 301 can be correctly recognized.

As another example, the same can be achieved by using an ink jet system. To give an example of the ink-jet method, for example, using a piezo-type ink-jet printer [Seiko Epson product MJ930],
Ink using carbon black as black ink,
An image including a black image is formed on paper on which an invisible code is printed with a diimmonium-based near infrared absorbing dye [IRG-022 manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.]. Since an invisible code is included, an image is formed only with the color image forming material, and a clear image can be obtained. Further, when this image is observed with a CCD through a visible cut filter, the visible image is not seen, and only the invisible code is recognized.
01 can be correctly recognized.

[0179]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming section performs an image forming operation on the recording medium, thereby acquiring the identity information of the recording medium by the code reading section and the decoding means. The identity information can be associated with the image source specifying information by the association unit. Thus, as an example, a writing instrument is used to perform a writing operation on a recording medium to read a code symbol arranged on the recording medium, decode the code symbol, and construct a system that recognizes coordinate information and identity information. When a writing operation is performed on a recording medium in a recording medium that performs a writing operation with a writing instrument under the assumption that the writing locus is recognized based on the decoded coordinate information, the identity information and Since the image trajectory is associated with the image source specifying information, a process of adding a writing trajectory with the writing instrument to the image source specified by the image source specifying information associated with the identity information recognized together with the writing trajectory is performed. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is provided an output unit for outputting the identity information and the image source identification information associated by the association unit to the outside. Therefore, the identity information and the image source identification information associated with each other by the association means can be output to the outside, and as a result, for example, the associated information is stored in a storage unit in an external device. This makes it possible to always refer to what kind of image source specifying information corresponds to the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the code reading section cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium with respect to the recording medium. Includes a prohibition unit for prohibiting an image forming operation on the recording medium by the image forming unit, thereby preventing occurrence of a situation in which it is not possible to associate a recording medium with image source identification information. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the code reading section cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium, And a notifying unit for notifying the user that the image forming operation is not performed because the recording medium and the image source specifying information cannot be associated with each other. It is possible to prevent such erroneous recognition from being brought to the user.

In the document management system according to the fifth aspect, by performing an image forming operation on the recording medium by the image forming unit, the code reading unit and the decoding unit acquire the identity information of the recording medium to obtain the identity. The information can be associated with the image source specifying information by the association unit.

According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to perform a process of adding a writing locus with a writing instrument to the image source specifying information. In other words, it is possible to detect the coordinates of the trajectory written by the writing instrument on the recording medium, and to rewrite the information added to the image source, which is the information before rewriting of the recording medium, on the data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document management system for a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation according to image data generated based on an image source, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and a code read by the code reading unit Decoding means for decoding a symbol to obtain information; and decoding means for decoding the code symbol read by the code reading section to obtain the information as a second code symbol according to a code system different from the code symbol. And encoding means for performing the conversion. For example, as in the invention according to claim 12, which is dependent on the document management system according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, the encoding unit encodes the image forming unit. The second
If a code symbol printing means for executing an image forming operation in accordance with image data generated based on the code symbol is provided, a recording medium on which the second code symbol is recorded can be obtained.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the seventh aspect, the code reading section includes the second
And the decoding means decodes the second code symbol read by the code reading unit to obtain information, so that, for example, the second code generated by the invention according to claim 12 is obtained. The second code symbol can be read from the recording medium on which the symbol is recorded, and identity information obtained by decoding the read second code symbol can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the code reading section comprises:
Since the invisible code symbol formed by the image forming material containing the near infrared absorbing dye is read, the invisible second code symbol can be read by the code reading unit.

According to the twelfth aspect, the seventh aspect, the eighth aspect,
12. The document management system according to 9, 10, or 11, further comprising: a code symbol printing unit that causes the image forming unit to execute an image forming operation in accordance with image data generated based on the second code symbol encoded by the encoding unit. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a recording medium on which the second code symbol is recorded.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the document management system according to the twelfth aspect, the image forming section stores the invisible second code symbol formed of an image forming material containing a near infrared absorbing dye. Since printing is performed, a recording medium on which the invisible second code symbol is recorded can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a recording medium used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a system configuration example of a document management system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a schematic structure of a printer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of a copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a code symbol reading structure by a code reading unit provided in a printer and a copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of an association file.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copied image on a recording medium.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a recording medium of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a pen-type coordinate input device of the information processing system.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of an image when a recording medium is read by the coordinate input device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a code symbol formed on the recording medium.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of an image when a recording medium is read by the coordinate input device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating detection of the position of the code symbol.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of an image when a recording medium is read by the coordinate input device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating detection of the position of the code symbol.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating detection of the inclination and distortion amount of the code symbol.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording medium.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording medium.

FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating a process in which a reversible recording layer using a leuco dye and a developer develops and decolors.

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating a process in which a reversible recording layer composed of a low-molecular organic compound and a resin becomes transparent and cloudy.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a recording medium of the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a state in which a handwriting is performed on a recording medium while holding a device main body of the coordinate input device of the information processing system.

FIG. 23 is a plan view showing an example of an image obtained by reading the recording medium of FIG. 21 by the coordinate input device.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process for obtaining coordinates on a paper surface of a recording medium corresponding to a position of a leading end of the apparatus main body from data obtained by encoding a read image of a code symbol on the recording medium.

FIG. 25 is a plan view showing an example of an image obtained by reading a recording medium with the coordinate input device.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a process for obtaining coordinates on a paper surface of a recording medium corresponding to a position of a leading end of the apparatus main body from data obtained by encoding a read image of a code symbol on the recording medium.

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing an example of an image obtained by reading a recording medium with the coordinate input device.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a process for obtaining coordinates on a paper surface of a recording medium corresponding to a position of a leading end of the apparatus main body from data obtained by encoding a read image of a code symbol on the recording medium.

FIG. 29 is a plan view illustrating an example of an image obtained by reading a recording medium with the coordinate input device.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the recording medium showing a state where code symbols are arranged on the recording medium.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first code symbol and a second code symbol converted from the first code symbol.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a second code symbol together with its coordinate information.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a recording medium showing a state where code symbols are converted into second code symbols and the second code symbols are arranged on the recording medium.

FIG. 34 is a functional block diagram of the coordinate input device.

FIG. 35 is a functional block diagram showing a modification of the coordinate input device.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a secondary code coordinate corresponding document information recording medium.

FIG. 37 is a plan view of a recording medium on which a first code symbol and a second code symbol are printed and recorded.

FIG. 38 is a plan view of a recording medium on which a first code symbol and a second code symbol are printed and superimposed.

FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram showing a first code symbol and a second code symbol printed and recorded in an overlapped manner together with their coordinate information.

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram of a coordinate input device for reading code symbols (invisible code, visible code) according to two types of code systems.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 101 recording medium 102 code symbol 212 storage unit (HDD) 221 image forming apparatus (printer) 225, 245 image forming unit (image forming process unit) 228, 248 decoding means (information processing unit) 229, 249 code reading unit 241 image forming Apparatus (copier) 261 Writing implement 265 Second code reading unit 266 Second decoding means (information processing unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 7/10 G06K 7/10 P 5C062 9/62 9/62 G H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 C ( 72) Inventor Toshiyuki Furuta 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sadao Takahashi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Tomohiko Beppu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Daimasa Asano 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Yamazaki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C087 AA09 AA14 AC05 AC07 AC08 BA01 BA03 BA06 BB11 BB12 BD14 BD52 CA01 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA13 A A19 BB04 NN18 QQ04 5B064 AB04 BA05 5B068 AA36 BD02 BD09 BD17 5B072 BB00 CC21 DD02 LL11 LL18 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB17 AB18 AB42 AC02 AC21 AC22 AC24 AE07 AE10 AF00 BA00

Claims (13)

[Claims] An image data generated based on an image source on a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation according to the following, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and a code symbol read by the code reading unit to decode the identity information. An image forming apparatus comprising: decoding means for acquiring; and associating means for associating the identity information acquired by the decoding means with image source specifying information for specifying the image source. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs the identity information and the image source identification information associated with each other by the association unit. 3. When the code reading unit cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium, the image forming unit prohibits an image forming operation on the recording medium by the image forming unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibition unit. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying, when the code reading unit cannot read the identity information arranged on the recording medium, with respect to the recording medium. Image forming device. 5. Image data generated based on an image source on a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation in accordance with the following, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and a code symbol read by the code reading unit to decode the identity information. A document management system comprising: a decoding unit that acquires the image data; and an association unit that associates the identity information acquired by the decoding unit with the image source identification information that identifies the image source and stores the information in a storage unit. 6. A writing instrument that permits a writing operation to be carried by a person in a hand, and a second optical element that is provided on the writing instrument and optically reads a code symbol that appears on a writing track of the writing instrument on the recording medium. A code reading unit; second decoding means for decoding the read code symbol to obtain the coordinate information and the identity information; and the writing implement based on the coordinate information obtained by the second code means. Recognizing means for recognizing a writing trajectory; and searching means for searching the image source specifying information corresponding to the identity information from the storage unit using the identity information obtained by the second code means as a key; Writing of the writing implement recognized by the recognizing means on the image source specified by the image source specifying information searched by the searching means And the revision means that revision of the mark,
The document management system according to claim 5, comprising: 7. Image data generated based on an image source on a recording medium on which an image is formed, wherein a large number of code symbols including coordinate information and identity information of the recording medium are arranged. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation according to the following, a code reading unit that optically reads the code symbols arranged on the recording medium, and a decode that obtains information by decoding the code symbols read by the code reading unit Means for decoding the code symbol read by the code reading unit by the decoding means and converting the obtained information into a second code symbol according to a code system different from the code symbol. Management system. 8. The code reading unit also reads the second code symbol, and the decoding unit obtains information by decoding the second code symbol read by the code reading unit. Document management system. 9. The document management system according to claim 7, wherein the code reading unit reads an invisible code symbol formed of an image forming material containing a near-infrared absorbing dye. 10. The document management system according to claim 7, wherein the information obtained by decoding the code symbol read by the code reading unit by the decoding unit is coordinate information. 11. The document management system according to claim 7, wherein the information acquired by the decoding means by decoding the code symbol read by the code reading unit is identity information. 12. The image forming unit according to claim 7, further comprising: code symbol printing means for executing an image forming operation in accordance with image data generated based on said second code symbol encoded by said encoding means. 9,
10. The document management system according to 10 or 11. 13. The document management system according to claim 12, wherein the image forming unit prints the invisible second code symbol formed of an image forming material containing a near-infrared absorbing dye.